Pump and valve

ABSTRACT

A combination pump, life preserver and carrying and storage container is presented. The structure includes a bellows having at least one and preferably two two-way check valves (in, out, stop). The structure further includes a handle at each end of the bellows. To operate as an air or fluid pump, or to remove fluids, each valve is adjusted to in or out and the ends of the bellows are pumped together and apart. To operate as a life preserver, the bellows is expanded, filling the structure with air, and each valve is closed, preventing the air from escaping. Closing each valve permits the structure to carry or store fluid.

United States Patent [191' llaugherty June 18, 1974 [54] PUMP AND VALVE 2,565,457 9/1951 Spender 251/260 x 3,408,040 10/1968 Kraft 251/82 X [76] Inventor: Wilma J. Daugherty,61 Clvlc 3,572,384 3/l97l Taylor 251/260 X Center Dr., Suite 215, Santa t 2. 2 Primary Examiner-William L. Freeh [22] Filed: May 7, 1971 Assistant Examiner-Leonard Smith [2]] App]. No.: 141,313 ABSTRACT A combination pump, life preserver and carrying and [52] storage container is presented. The structure includes [51] I t Cl 31/52 a bellows having at least one and preferably two two- 58] d 260 261 way check valves (in, out, stop). The structure further 0 care 551 162 includes a handle at each end of the bellows. To operate as an air or fluid pump, or to remove fluids, each [56] R fre c Cited. valve is adjusted to in or out and the ends of the bele n es lows are pumpedtogether and apart. To operate as 21 UNITED STATES PATENTS life" preserver, the bellows is expanded, filling the 392,539 1 H1888 Christian l37/DlG. 2 structure with air, and each valve is closed, preventing 401,326 1339 Bloum X t the air from escaping. Closing each valve permits the 874,466 12/1907 Weinland... 137/4939 Structure to carry or Store fluid l,l7l,l89 2/1916 Grandi 25l/26OX 1,228,453 6/1917 Lehnert 251/261 2 Claims, Drawing Figures PATENIEmumwM I 3.811284 I INVENTOR. W WILMA J. DAIUGHERTY 6 ROBERT L. SASSONE ATTORNEY 1 PUMP AND VALVE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to bellows systems for pumping or retaining fluids.

2. Description of the Prior Art There has long been a great need for a small, flexible general purpose fluid and air pump and storage container on small boats. Frequently, water or other liquids enter hard to reach parts of boats and must be removed. Frequently, there is a need to move gasoline or other fluids from one container to another container. Unfortunately, the pump used on most boats are too large for small boats. In addition, frequently the typical pump can only remove fluids from certain selected points in the boat.

Every boa-t can always use another life preserver particularly one which can be compressed into a small package for storage or one which can be conveniently stored at a point removed from the other life preservers, so that in case of a sudden disaster there is a greater likelihood of a life preserver being available in a hurry.

Every small boat needs a variety of fluid storage containers. Unfortunately, a very large percentage of small boats do not have all the safety and convenience devices reasonably necessary for boating because small boats have severe space and weight limitations. The average small boat owner makes value judgments as to what he will or will not place on the boat and then frequently goes boating without being completely equipped. It would be very helpful to the average small boat operator if the functions performed by a plurality of devices could be performed by a single device. Unfortunately, the prior art does not disclose any small, flexible, pump, storage container and life preserver.

Operators of automobiles, airplanes and a varietyof vehicles and fixed location operationshave need of a small, flexible pump and storage container. Unfortunately, the prior art does not disclose a suitable small,

flexible general purpose pump and storage container, probably because the prior art does not disclose a suitable valve which permits fluid in or out through or to be cut off by the valve.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention comprises a combination pump, life preserver and carrying and storage container, hereafter called the pump utilizing a new and unique valve system. The pump comprises a base on each end coupled by a fluid tight bellows. The base may have handles. At least one base has at least one external faucet coupled to the interior via at least one two-way check valve having in, out and cut off positions. In the preferred example described herein, a base has two faucets.

For storage purposes, the valves are cut oh and the pump retainswhatever was previously stored therein.

may then be grasped by a handle, or a hose or hoses coupled to the pump may be wrapped around the user.

To permit easier filling, the pump may include a removable cap. During operation as a pump, the bellows is alternately expanded and contracted. For most purposes a hose or hoses should be coupled to the faucet coupled to each valve. For operation as a continuous flow pump, one valve is used as an inlet valve and the other as an outlet valve. 4

The two-way check valve of the present invention has cut ofi, out and in positions. The valve system comprises two tubes having open ends separated by a small distance. A-blocking means having two recesses, one

within the other is disposed between the two adjacent.

ends of the tubes'The blocking means is controlled by rotation of a cam shaft inserted therein. The cam shaft has an off center cam on the end which is inserted into the blocking means. The blocking means is disposed around two recesses, a shallow, broad recess into which the cam shaft is inserted and a deep, narrow recess in the shallow, broad recess. The cam is inserted into the deeper recess.

The blocking means moves linearly in a direction generally parallel to the line between the centers of the two open adjacent ends of the tubes. Each end of the blocking means has a protuberance curved in an are which mates with a recess in the adjacent end of the tube to form a fluid tight barrier when the blocking means is seated against the end of the tube. One useful design for theseating surface of the blocking means and the tubes utilizes a part of the: surface of a sphere for the protuberances in the blocking means and the negative of the arc of the protuberances for the arcs of the mating portions of the ends of the tubes.

. Other examples of the invention may include a flexible bellows coupled at each end to a base to form a fluid tight collapsible container wherein each base ining detailed description which should cludes a handle, one base defines a recess, the handle of the opposite base capable of moving into the recess when the pump is contracted. The interior of the pump should be fabricated from a material which isessentially impervious to chemical corrosion, such as pollypropylene. For many purposes, the pump should include two hoses, each capable of coupling to each other and to the means for fluid passage into and out of the pump in a fluid tight coupling. For different purposes, the invention may include one or more means for permitting fluid passage into and out of the pump through either or both bases. For most purposes, the narrow and deep recess in the blocking means should be in the center of the wide and shallow recess, andthe cam controls the movement of the blocking means by pushing against oneof two opposite walls of the deep and narrow recess which are essentially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blocking means between the ends of the two tubes. Radius of rotation of the cam should greater than the distance between the two opposite walls of the narrow and deep'recess, and the wide shallow recess should be wider than the width of the portion of the cam shaft inserted therein.

DRAWING SUMMARY Reference should be made at thisrtime to the followg be read in conjunction with the following drawings:

. of the present invention viewed from the center of an adjacent tube; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional top view of the valve of the present invention when the valve is closed, cutting ofi the flow of fluid therethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference should be made at this time to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate an example of a general purpose pump, storage container and life preserver l according to the present invention, hereafter referred to as the pump 10. The pump includes a base 12 coupled to a bellows 14 coupled to a base 16. The base 12 includes a handle 18. The base 16 includes a handle 22 at least one valve coupled to a faucet 26 and a hose 24 coupled to the valve 20. The hose 24 may include nozzle means to control the passage of fluid through the hose 24. In the present example, the base 16 includes 2 valves 20, and FIG. 1 shows two valves 20 and two hoses 24 disengaged from the valves 29.

For storage, the bellows 14 may be contracted and the bases 12, I6 locked together by appropriate means. Alternatively, the pump 10 may be stored with all inlets and outlets cut off. The pump 10 then essentially holds its shape because of the rididity of the material from which it is fabricated, and the essentially balancing pressures from the atmosphere and the fluid stored inside the pump.

During operation as a pump each hose is coupled to a faucet 26, one handle 18,22, is grasped in each hand and the hand holding a handle may also hold and aim a hose 24. The bellows 14 is first contracted by squeezing the handles 18, 22 together. The uncoupled end of the hose 24 is inserted in the selected fluid and the bellows 14 is expanded drawing the fluid into the interior of the pump '10. The hose 24 is then aimed and the bellows 14 is contracted forcing fluid out through the hose 24. The rate of flow of fluid through the hose 24 may be controlled by adjusting a nozzle coupled to the end of the hose or by varying the pressure exerted upon the bellows 14 via the handles 18, 22.

For a-continuous flow pump, both valves 20 are utilized, one as the inlet valve and the other as the outlet valve. A hose may be coupled to each valve 20.

For operation as astorage container, the pump 10 is filled withfluid and the valve 20 is then closed off by rotation of cam shaft 28 preventing passage of fluid through the faucet 26 coupled thereto. The bellows 14 permits storage of the filled pump 10 in an area only slightly larger than the volume of fluid stored therein. The prior art discloses a wide variety of adjustable nozzles which may be utilized to control or stop the passage of fluid through the hose 24.

To operate the pump 10 as a life preserver, the bellows 14 is expanded and filled with air. A nozzle or a valve 20 cuts off fluid flow through the hose 24, keeping the pump 10 inflated and buoyant. The pump 10 may then be grasped by a handle 18, 22, or a hose or hoses 24 may be wrapped around the user.

A variety of coupling means may be utilized to couple the bases 12, 16 together at a selected distance thereby controlling the volume of the pump 10.

The handle 18 may be a rotating handle which rotates about the pump 10 and fits in a recess in the opposite handle 22. Alternatively, the valves may be cut off, thereby utilizing air pressure to maintain the bellows 14 at a selected volume. To permit easier filling, the pump 10 may include a removeable cap.

. For convenience in hose storage, E shaped hose clamps may be coupled to each base of the pump It), and a hose coupled thereto.

Reference should be made at this time to FIGS. 3 through 6. The present invention also includes a new two-way check valve 20 having closed, out and in positions. The valve system comprises a first tube 44, a second tube 44 having an open end 42 near an open end 42 of the first tube 44 blocking means 34 disposed between the two ends 42 of the two tubes 44 and capable of blocking off a flow of fluid through the opening of either tube 44 and means 28 to selectively prevent the blocking means 34 from blocking off the flow of fluid from one of the tubes 44 to the other in either directron.

The end or recessed portion 42 of each tube 44 is recessed and a cross section of the recess describes an arc of selected curvature. Each end or protruding portion 40 of the blocking means 34 protrudes in an arc of identical curvature to the curvature of the recessed end 42 of the tube. 44 except that the arc of the end 42 is the negative. curvature of the arc of the protruding blocking means end 40. Accordingly, each end 40 of the blocking means 34 mates with the recessed end portion of the adjacent tube 44 disposed around the hole through the adjacent tube 44. When the blocking means 34 is seated against the end 40 of an adjacent tube 44 the connection is fluid tight. A useful design for the curvature of the recessed portions of the, tube 44 and the protruding portion of the blocking means 40 is the curvature of a portion of a sphere for the protrusion on the blocking means 34 and a negative curvature on the recessed portion 42 of the tube 44 mating with the positive curvature of the protrusion 40 of the blocking means 34.

The portion of the blocking means 34 between the two protrusions 40 adjacent the ends 42 of the two tubes 44 may take the form of a cylinder having a hollowed out portion 36 on one side and further having a deeper recess 38 near the center of the recess 36. The deeper portion 38 of the recess should include two walls which have a portion of their length which is planer wherein said planes are essentially perpendicular to the direction of the movement of the blocking means 34 between the two tubes 44. The blocking means 34 should be seated in such a manner as to slidabily move between the two tubes 44 in a direction essentially parallel to a line drawn between the centers of the two tubes 44. It should be noted that many other different types of examples of the valve 20 of the present invention may be constructed wherein dimensions, shapes, angles, arcs, sizes and other characteristics of the described example are modified slightly for particular purposes within the scope of the present invention.

The means to selectively prevent the blocking means from blocking off the flow of fluid comprises a rotatable insertable cam shaft 28 having on the end which is inserted an off center cam 32 which is inserted into the deepest recess 38 in the blocking means 34. Rotation of the shaft 28 causes the cam 32 to exert pressure against an end of the deepest'recess 38 in the blocking means 34. Accordingly, rotation of the shaft 28 causes the cam 32 to move the blocking means toward one tube 44 or the other and to permit the blocking means 34 to be moved farther away from one tube 44 or the other.

Rotation of the inserted shaft 28 so that the cam 32 is at its nearest possible point to one of the other tubes 44 causes the protuberance 40 in the blocking means 34 to tightly seat against the mating recess 42 in the adjacent end of the tube 44. With the blocking means 34 in this position, fluid can flow between the opposite tube 44 and the blocking means 34' but no fluid can flow into or out of the tube 44 which is blocked off by the seated end 40 of the blocking means 34. Accordingly, the valve is cut off and no fluid can flow therethrough.

Rotating the cam shaft 28 so that the cam 32 is slightly removed from its closest position to the adjacent tube 44 nearest the cam 32 permits fluid to flow out of the end of thattube 44. The fluid exerts pressure against the blocking means 34 which has a tendancy to force the opposite end 40 of the blocking means 34 to seat in the mating recess 42 of the opposite tube 44. The cam 32, however, prevents the blocking means 34 from seating against the opposite tube 44 and cutting off fluid flow therethrough. If, however, fluid flows from the tube 44 farthest from the cam 32 through the valve 20, the fluid will exert pressure on the blocking means 34 which will cause the blocking means 34 to seat in the recess 42 of the tube 44 closest to the cam 32. Accordingly, fluid can flow only in one direction from the tube 44, the end of which is closest to the cam 32, to the opposite tube 44.

Further'rotation of the cam shaft 28 causes the cam 32 to become closer to the opposite tube 44, thereby reversing the direction of permissible fluid flow. If the cam 32 position is such that the cam 32 does not prevent the blocking means 34 from seating in the end 42 of either tube 44, the valve 20 is in the cut off position, since fluid flow in either direction forces the blocking means 34 to seat in the end 42 of the valve 44 toward which the fluid is being forced, thereby stopping fluid flow.

Other examples of the invention may include a flexible bellows coupled at each end to a base to form a fluid tight collapsible container wherein each base includes a handle, one base defines a recess, the handle of the opposite base capable of moving into the recess when the pump is contracted. The interior of the pump should be fabricated from a material which is essentially impervious to chemical corrosion, such as polypropylene. For many purposes, the pump should include two hoses, each capable of coupling to each other and to the means for fluid passage into and out of the pump in a fluid tight coupling. For different purposes, the invention may include one or more means for permitting fluid passage into and out of the pump through either or both bases. For most purposes, the narrow and deep recess in the blocking means should be in the center of the wide and shallow recess, and the cam controls the movement of the blocking means by pushing against one of two opposite walls of the deep and narrow recess which are essentially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blocking means between the ends of the two tubes. Radius of rotation of the cam should be greater than the distance between the two opposite walls of the narrow and deep recess, and the wide shallow recess should be wider than the width of the portion of the cam shaft inserted therein.

The invention has been described in detail to provide a full public disclosure of the particular examples thereof. However, said detailed description is not intended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of the invention, or the scope of the invention claimed. The scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A two-way check valve comprising: 7

a housing having a tubular valve chamber therein with axially spaced and aligned ports and provided with first and second inwardly facing axially spaced and aligned valve seats;

a valve element slidably disposed in said chamber having first and second sealing ends and adapted to selectively engage one or the other of said first and second seats to seal the same, said valve element being provided with a recess intermediate its ends having axially spaced walls adapted to receive a cam therebetween;

a control shaft rotatably mounted in a wall of said housing and extending therethrough in substantial alignment with said recess;

a cam eccentrically mounted on the inner end of said control shaft and rotatably disposed between said recess walls, the operative dimension of said cam being less than the space between said walls;

the arrangement and dimensions of said control shaft and its eccentric cam being such that rotation thereof to a first position shifts said valve element to a first position wherein it can freely move into i and out of sealing engagement with said first valve seat to permit flow of fluid therethrough in one directiononly, and is restrained from engaging said second valve seat;

rotation of said shaft and cam to a second position shifts said valve element axially to a second position wherein it can freely move into and out of sealing engagement withsaid second valve seat to permit flow of fluid therethrough only in the opposite direction, and is restrained from engaging said first I valve seat; and

rotation of said shaft and cam to a third position.

v shifts said valve element axially to a third position wherein it is held in positive engagement with one of said valve seats to prevent any flow of fluid through said valve.

2. A two-way check valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises;

a central section having an enlarged bore providing said valve chamber; and

tubular members mounted in opposite ends of said central section connected to and in alignment with said bore, the inner ends of said tubes forming said first and second valve seats. 

1. A two-way check valve comprising: a housing having a tubular valve chamber therein with axially spaced and aligned ports and provided with first and second inwardly facing axially spaced and aligned valve seats; a valve element slidably disposed in said chamber having first and second sealing ends and adapted to selectively engage one or the other of said first and second seats to seal the same, said valve element being provided with a recess intermediate its ends having axially spaced walls adapted to receive a cam therebetween; a control shaft rotatably mounted in a wall of said housing and extending therethrough in substantial alignment with said recess; a cam eccentrically mounted on the inner end of said control shaft and rotatably disposed between said recess walls, the operative dimension of said cam being less than the space between said walls; the arrangement and dimensions of said control shaft and its eccentric cam being such that rotation thereof to a first position shifts said valve element to a first position wherein it can freely move into and out of sealing engagement with said first valve seat to permit flow of fluid therethrough in one direction only, and is restrained from engaging said second valve seat; rotation of said shaft and cam to a second position shifts said valve element axially to a second position wherein it can freely move into and out of sealing engagement with said second valve seat to permit flow of fluid therethrough only in the opposite direction, and is restrained from engaging said first valve seat; and rotation of said shaft and cam to a third position shifts said valve element axially to a third position wherein it is held in positive engagement with one of said valve seats to prevent any flow of fluid through said valve.
 2. A two-way check valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing comprises; a central section having an enlarged bore providing said valve chamber; and tubular members mounted in opposite ends of said central section connected to and in alignment with said bore, the inner ends of said tubes forming said first and second valve seats. 